Final slideshows

visitors

Abe didn't sleep much the night before our visit to Korah. I threw myself a decent ole pity party about 3 a.m. I remember having the thought that my life was hard, harder than I wanted. I wanted sleep, was that too much to ask?? Driving through the streets, tears streamed down my cheeks as I was so ashamed Hard? Really Emily? Hard? Oh the condition of my heart.

I have heard many will say that Korah will wreck you. They were all right. Korah, is a city of outcasts within Addis. I have spoken to many that have spent their entire lives in Addis Ababa and they had NEVER even heard of Korah. It is in the west part of the city and is inhabited by lepers, HIV positive, and others society doesn't care for at all. The very least of the least of these. It is located next to Alert Hospital (treats those with leprosy) and the city trash dump. It is very desolate, yet we saw so much joy.

We met up with Cherrie Cornish, a delightful woman that has also been wrecked for this place. This is her 4th trip since April. She helped us greatly with the logistics on the dental day. We met Sammy, a precious soul that was raised in Korah and is now working hard to help better the lives of it's residents. We were able to treat many patients dental needs and also do crafts with many of the children.

A highlight was getting to go on 2 home visits. We walked down the streets holding hands with the local children. Both homes we saw women, too sick to forage in the city trash dump any longer. They now have their children do the work for them so they may eat and find a way to pay the 100 birr rent on their "homes". I am so thankful that Hill and Wick were able to be with me. I think it was a very pivotal moment for them, I know it was for me.

As we were leaving the second home, the heavens parted and down came the hardest, coldest rain. We started running in the rain back to the church. We were soaking wet and our shoes were covered in mud. It was simply an image that I won't soon forget!

We then all walked to Alert to purchase hand made items from their store. Sammy didn't think a larger group had ever visited Alert at once and he was pretty sure that our group of 65 provided the shops largest single day total ever. Praise God. The sweet man that sits and weaves door mats had a smile from ear to ear when he heard that all of his goods were sold out! We all walked back to the church with messenger bags, scarves, crosses, animals........etc in our arms.

I wasn't able to go on the tour of the trash dump as I had to return to the little boys. A few vans did go and from what I hear have some great video footage to share! Have I mentioned that Kurt Neale (guy that married us) is here making an incredible documentary? He is working so hard to capture each story. I pray that it will be a great blessing to many once complete. We are very grateful that he is here as so many things take place and he is getting as many as possible.

I AM SO HAPPY YOU MET SAMMY!!! I AM SO HAPPY YOU ALL WENT TO KORAH! SO HAPPY FOR ALL OF KORAH TO HAVE YOU ALL THEIR!!! Ethiopia changed me FOREVER! Korah made me fall more in love with and changed me even more. Hopefully someday soon I will be back....

Thank you for sharing your journey. Reading your stories reminds me that what I consider as "struggling" through our adoption process, or struggling with things that in the big sense are not important does not compare to what these precious ones in Ethiopia struggle with to survive.

Emily, I have not shared this yet on my blog but Zoie was born in Korah!!! I wanted your blog readers to know I'm GIVING AWAY a trip to Ethiopia!!!! We only need 10 more Tees to make someone's dream come true... come check it out on my crazy adoption blog!!!www.mycrazyadoption.com1 Tee = 1 Entry to win!!